News Release

Capitol Reef National Park is closing the Scenic Drive to implement local health guidance.

Date: April 5, 2020
Contact: Visitor Center, [phone]

Torrey, UT – Capitol Reef National Park, in response to recommendations from the Central Utah Public Health Department, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The park will be closing the campground road and the Scenic Drive on Monday, April 6, 2020. The closure will be just south of the visitor center parking lot. This closure is in addition to existing closures of the park visitor center, Gifford House, and Fruita Campground implemented in late March 2020.

This closure is to adhere to Directives and Public Health Order from the State of Utah and Central Utah Public Health Department that requests that individuals do not recreate outside of their local county and prohibits gatherings of more than ten individuals at one location. “The Department is working with recreation partners throughout the District to recommend closures of recreation and gathering areas in order to protect the health of the public and in an effort to mitigate the potential overwhelming of the local health care system,” says Nathan Selin, Executive Director and Health Officer with the Central Utah Public Health Department.

The health and safety of park visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Capitol Reef is a number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. The park will notify the public when normal operations resume and provide updates on the park website and social media channels.

Utah State Route 24 remains open through the park, and some outdoor spaces, facilities and services remain open, including restroom facilities and trails. Law enforcement personnel will remain on duty. Park staff also remain available by phone. “We are encouraging visitors to visit responsibly by maintaining social distancing of six feet or more on trails and at overlooks, parking in designated parking areas and pullouts, and packing out your trash” says superintendent Sue Fritzke.

The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Capitol Reef during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.